Electric switch



NOV. 5, 1940. QESTREICH 2,220,424

ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed April 21, 1938 Inventor A iiorneys Patented Nov. 5, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2 Claims.

The present invention relates to electric switches for use in the closing of a circuit leading to a signal designed primarily for use in filling stations, garages, feed mills and other places Where cars are driven into the place of business, and has for its primary object to provide a switch of this character embodying a fluid pressure responsive diaphragm to which a rubber hose is connected and laid across the driveway whereby the passage of a vehicle over the hose will cause an expansion of the diaphragm to close the circuit connected to the switch.

A further object is to provide a device of this character of simple and practical construction,

efficient and reliable in performance, relatively inexpensive to manufacture and install in operation, and otherwise well adapted for the purposes for which the same is intended.

Other objects and advantages reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawing forming part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which Figure 1 is a top plan view, and

Figure 2 is a side elevational View with parts broken away and shown in section.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, wherein for the purpose of illustration I have disclosed a preferred embodiment of the invention, the numerals 5 and 6 designate a pair of rubber diaphragms having flanges 1 extending about the marginal edges thereof and secured to each other by cementing, vulcanizing or the like, the diaphragms being normally spaced from each other to provide a fluid or air chamber 8 between the same. The edges of the diaphragms cooperate to form an extension 9 within which one end of a rigid pipe I0 is inserted, the other end of the pipe being provided with a hose coupling H to which a rubber hose (not shown) is adapted for connection.

To the pipe [0 is connected a metal plate I2 adapted to underlie the diaphragms' which forms a base for the same and which prevents expansion of the diaphragms in one direction. The plate further is adapted to support the diaphragms out of contact with the ground in order that the diaphragms will not be subjected to wear result- ,ing from the movement of the device on the ground which would naturally be caused by the wheels of vehicles passing over the hose. A contact bracket I3 is secured at one end to the pipe 10 and has its free end extending in spaced overlying relation with respect to the uppermost diaphragm 5 and provided at its free end with a contact member M which is threaded through the bracket and secured in threaded adjusted position by a nut I5. To the upper surface of 1c uppermost diaphragm 5 is secured a stationary contact H5 disposed immediately below the contact M for engagement thereby upon an expansion of the diaphragm in a manner as will be apparent.

A circuit wire I! is connected to the bracket 10 I3 and a circuit wire [8 is likewise connected to the contact member IS, the circuit wires leading to a conventional signaling device and source of current.

In the operation of the device, the contacts I4 and I6 are normally spaced apart and it will be apparent that upon the passage of a vehicle over the rubber hose connected to the coupling II that air pressure will be forced into the chamber 8 causing an expansion of the upper diaphragm 20 5 to close the contacts and the electric circuit connected thereto whereby to sound the signal.

It is believed the details of construction and operation of the device will be readily understood from the foregoing without further detailed explanation.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim is-- 1. An electric signalling device comprising a diaphragm operated switch, a flexible hose adapted to move the same into switch closing position upon the application of pressure to the hose and a coupling between the hose and the switch and comprising a ground engaging plate projecting from one end of the coupling and underlying the switch to protect the switch from contact with the ground.

2. A fluid operated switch comprising a pair of duplicate rubber disks secured at their edge portions to form an expansible chamber therebetween, a, tubular extension projecting from the connected edges of the disks and communicating with the chamber, a hose coupling having one end inserted in said extension for attaching a hose to the chamber, a ground engaging plate projecting from the coupling and underlying the lowermost disk to protect the same from contact with the ground, an electric contact member carried by the upper disk and a stationary contact carried by the coupling in the path of movement of said first named contact.

HARRY G. OESTREICH. 

